Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7700 Leadership and the people of God  »  7796 teaching  »  7797 teaching

The apostles' teaching formed the basis of the instruction given to the first Christians. Parts of the NT draw a distinction between preaching and teaching, seeing the former as a means of converting individuals, and the latter as a means of instructing them after conversion.

The importance of teaching

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 “goads” prod the sluggish to action, while “embedded nails” furnish a kind of mental anchorage. “Shepherd” is almost certainly a reference to God himself. See also Proverbs 1:8-9; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 4:1-4; Proverbs 6:20-23; Matthew 5:19; 1 Corinthians 14:6; 2 Timothy 4:2-3

Teaching given by parents

Proverbs 22:6 See also Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Deuteronomy 11:18-19; Ephesians 6:1-4

The apostles' teaching

Acts 2:42; Titus 1:9 See also Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:17; Romans 16:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Timothy 1:10-11; Timothy 4:6; Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13-14; Timothy 4:3; Titus 2:1

The gift of teaching in the church

Romans 12:7 See also 1 Timothy 4:13-14

Ways of teaching believers

Through example

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 See also 1 Corinthians 4:17; Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:3-7

Through dialogue with the teacher

Acts 20:7; Acts 19:8-9

Through explanation of ceremonies

Exodus 12:26-27; Exodus 13:14-16

Through proverbs

Proverbs 1:1-6,20-28

Through the law

Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Deuteronomy 11:18-19; Deuteronomy 27:1-26; Psalm 78:5-8

Through mutual edification

Colossians 3:16 See also Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 5:12

Through the instruction of different groups within the church

Ephesians 5:22-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1; Titus 2:1-10; 1 Peter 2:18-3:7; Peter 5:1-5

The distinction between teaching and preaching

Acts 15:35 See also Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 11:1; Luke 20:1; Acts 4:2; Acts 5:42; Acts 28:31

Examples of major themes taught in the NT church

Righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ

Romans 3:21-22 See also Galatians 2:20-21

Freedom in Christ from the demands of the law

Galatians 5:1-3

The humility of Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:5-8 See also Hebrews 13:12-13

The supremacy of Jesus Christ

Colossians 1:18

The superiority of Jesus Christ

Hebrews 3:3 Hebrews also shows Jesus Christ to be superior to the angels, the high priest and the sacrifices.

Godly behaviour

Ephesians 4:22-24 See also Romans 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:1-2

See also

2363  Christ, preaching & teaching
5115  Peter, preacher & teacher
5302  education
5731  parents
7730  explanation
7754  preaching
7793  teachers
8234  doctrine
8313  nurture
8351  teachableness
8750  false teachings